Amsterdam to Bruges Bike & Barge - Comfort
Amsterdam to Bruges Bike & Barge - Comfort
8 Days Starting in Amsterdam and ending in Bruges
Visiting: Belgium
Tour Overview
Experience the great cities of the Netherlands and western Belgium on this classic barge and bike trip between Amsterdam and Bruges. En route visit Antwerp and Ghent whose historic centres will enchant you with their history and refined culture. Wind your way by bike along the Vecht river with its impressive mansions and country houses, visit a cheese farm and the 19 windmills in Kinderdijk. Via Dordrecht and Kreekrak lock, the barge cruises through the 'delta' province of Zeeland to Belgium. Cycling on your own with a set of maps and directions or with the guide - the choice is yours. In the evenings, relax on board your comfortable barge or explore the towns on foot.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Barge In Amsterdam, Cruise To Vianen, Warm Up Cycle (15Km/9Mi)
Arrive Amsterdam and make your own way to the barge. Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, is at 1pm. At around 2pm the boat will leave Amsterdam and sail to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek, where we will spend the night. Here the bicycles will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bicycle ride.
Day 2 : Cycle To Schoonhoven And Kinderdijk, Ferry To Dordrecht (56Km/34Mi)
In the morning you will cycle through beautiful Dutch meadowlands to the so-called 'silver city' Schoonhoven, renowned for its talented silversmiths since the 17th century. Continue through the Alblasserwaard region to the impressive 19 windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO cultural heritage listed site. You will have the opportunity to visit one of the mills. From nearby Alblasserdam, take the “Waterbus” fast ferry (10 mins) to Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands' oldest towns. Overnight Dordrecht.
Day 3 : Barge To Tholen, Cycle To Kreekraksluis, Cruise To Antwerp (20 Or 36Km/13 Or 23Mi)
During breakfast we cruise to Tholen, where the day's cycling starts. You will visit the “Wouwse Plantage” forest and the impressive Kreekrak lock. After once again meeting up with the boat we cruise to the port city of Antwerp, which is situated on the river Schelde. Antwerp is famous for handling up to 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and has many attractions including: the City Hall, one of several majestic buildings constructed during the Renaissance period, the historical City Square Grote Market, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral and the medieval Steen Castle. After dinner you can visit the beautiful old city centre.
Day 4 : Cycle To Dendermonde (48 Or 64Km/29 Or 39Mi)
On today’s tour you will cycle out of Antwerp on a beautiful cycle path along the
picturesque tidal Schelde Rive and through magnificent Flemish countryside to Dendermonde. The river stretches for 435km through northern France, western Belgium and the southwestern part of the Netherlands and is connected by several canals to the basins of the Rhine, Meuse and Seine Rivers. The Schelde has had great commercial and strategic importance over the years. Tonight's base is Dendermonde, a friendly provincial town along the river.
Day 5 : Cycle To Ghent (52Km/32Mi)
Today you will continue to follow the river Schelde to Ghent, a lively university city with a rich past. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to discover more of the city, or to shop in the lively centre. Ghent was founded in Roman times, where the rivers Leie and Schelde converge. Its convenient location has brought much prosperity. During the Middle Ages it was a prominent city-state, and its the textile industry and Cloth Hall, established in 1425, brought merchants together. Many aristocrats remain today. The main church St Bavo Cathedral reflects different periods in history and building styles, and houses some masterpieces of medieval art, the most famous of which is "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck. The barge will dock at the lock in Merelbeke, a suburb of Ghent approx. 30min by bike to the city centre.
Day 6 : Cycle The Flemish Countryside To Bruges (45Km/28Mi)
This morning the cycle route leads through pleasant Flemish countryside of Western Flanders to Bruges. You will have ample time to explore Bruges, known as the 'Venice of the North' and it is perhaps the most beautiful of all Flemish cities. The UNESCO listed Old Town dates from the Middle Ages and is almost completely intact. At that time the city was a metropolis and centre of commerce and art, and its glory is visible today in the many beautiful buildings. You can visit one of Bruges' many museums or simply take in the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city while strolling or from the comfort of a sidewalk cafe. Dinner is not included this evening so you are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in the historic centre.
Day 7 : Return Cycle To The North Sea Coast (38 Or 51Km/23 Or 31Mi)
Your last cycle is along a quiet canal and past beautiful poplar trees, through an attractive polder landscape (a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments) with nice small farm houses, and on to the North Sea coast. A 12km (7.5mi) long sandy beach, numerous cafés and the attractive dune landscape of “Het Zwin” (a unique nature reserve) provide variety during your lunch break. Cycle back to Bruges along a small picturesque canal for the last evening aboard. Alternatively your day is at leisure if you prefer to spend more time in Bruges.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes In Bruges
After breakfast the journey comes to an end as you say farewell to the guide and crew. Check out until 9:30am.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights in a twin share cabin -
7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwic
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7 nights accommodation aboard a Category A barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. Fluvius: all cabins are air conditioned, twin share cabins are configured with two lower beds, while double cabins are configured with a double bed. The trip
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Rental bike with helmet and pannier (e-bike available on request - supplement applies)
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Daily briefings. While you cycle independently, the tour leader also cycles each day. Optional guided package available - supplement applies
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Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin), GPS tracks available
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Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
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Several city walking tours
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Linen and change of towels as required
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Daily cabin cleaning
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Tea and coffee during breakfast and after the cycling tours til 4pm
What's Not Included
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Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR50pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. See below for further details regarding catering for dietary requirements.
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2024: guided option - supplement applies. Includes Fees for ferries and Waterbus
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Guided option - supplement applies. Includes Fees for ferries and Waterbus
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water and camera.
Grading
INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1
The cycling is introductory (1) grade with daily cycling distances from 15 to 64km (9 to 39mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets are worn during cycle sections.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.